Finally got a call from the ATF
Hey guys i finally got a call from an inspector with the ATF concerning my application for a FFL. I plan on running a small in-home business mostly doing transfers and special orders for people.
I now need your EXPERT advice. What is the inspector going to be looking for when he comes to interview me? What kind of questions will he ask. What can I do to prepare for his arrival. All info and advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all of you!!!
I now need your EXPERT advice. What is the inspector going to be looking for when he comes to interview me? What kind of questions will he ask. What can I do to prepare for his arrival. All info and advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all of you!!!
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One bit of advice......your FFL will be used for the transfer of firearms for others and not mainly for personal weapons. I would also recommend you have other items like merchants license, retail sales tax number, business license, etc on hand to show the inspector.
D G Guns
Edited by - supv26 on 12/07/2002 23:41:010 -
LOOK AT THE PRO AND CONS. IF ITS AT YOUR HOUSE.THE FFL THAT IS. IF THEY COME TO INSPECT THAT MEANS EVERY THING IN AND AT THAT ADDRESS CAN BE SEARCHED. JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. 0 -
If you have nothing to hide then you have no worries. The regulations manual explains how to seperate personal firearms from recorded firearms.
D G Guns0 -
Concering the question of which part of your house the ATF has access to: If you have an office/garage, that has a separate entrance, and that is where you will do business and store guns, then that is the only portion that ATF has access to. They do not have carte blanche for your entire house.
"If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."0 -
My question is mainly what should i expect from the Inspector? What is he looking for when he comes to my house to interview me? What should I be prepared for? What kind of questions might he ask? Thanks for everyones input. 0 -
What will your interviewer be looking for? He/she will be looking for TRUTH, and asessing your stated intentions. They are trained similarly to boarder guards in that their questions and your verbal answers are only a small part of the interview. They are looking at body language, voice inflection, eye movement, etc. Just as another poster said if you have nothing to hide and are truthfull you will get your license. Keep scrupulous up to the minute records on approved forms and you will be fine. DON'T EVER CUT A CORNER WITH YOUR RECORD KEEPING OR ATTEMPT TO HIDE SOMETHING! I let my FFL expire a year or so ago because I just wasn't useing it enough to make it worthwile. What is the cost now if you don't mind? 0 -
supv26's first response was an accurate answer to your specific question. The investigator is looking for evidence that you are planning to run a business. And, you can't run a business without the licensees & numbers that supv26 listed.
You also need a Federal Employer Identification Number (available from IRS).
And, you will need some evidence that your home is zoned for a home business (a copy of the regulation showing that it is permitted, or a letter or permit from your zoning office indicating that it has been approved.)
Neal0 -
As I read the regulations it says i have 30 days from the time of issue of the license to comply with all state and local laws to run a business, The reason I'm asking is someone said I should have all licenses and tax numbers when the inpectors comes by but I can't get a business license to run a gun business until I'm approved by the ATF. 0 -
gmayes,
I just shut down my business {Alvin Guns and Ammo} this past Friday due to a severely debilitating injury. I've been in business for the past 18 months. The inspector was very courteous and precise in his interview. My house was my place of business. He didn't walk around it, inspecting everything, like you might think. As a matter of fact, the interview was rather pleasant. We never left the couch. We talked about the regulations [ mutiply sales, rules regarding the sale of long guns versus handguns to individuals under the age of 21, ammo sales, ect]. He did most of the talking. If there was a certain area I wasn't familiar with, he underlined it in the regulations and instructed me to become acquainted with it. He did suggest I have a place to secure all my firearms from any breakin. I assured him my safe would be a major deterent to any robbery or theft.
He asked me if I had any personal firearms, where I kept them, if I had contacted the local Sheriff and followed the proper requirements for local notification of my intent to open a gun shop, ect. All the guidelines you need are in your regulations you have been supplied by the ATF. Follow them EXACTLY and you'll be okay. Don't BULLSH*T the FEDS. Like I told my wife, "It's a long way from Alvin, Texas, to Leavenworth prison for a visit."
He did tell me, "If you give up your license, you can always get it back. If WE take your license, you'll Never get it back".
ALWAYS enter your transfers in your Bound Book. Pay your taxes on time, give your customers that PERSONAL SERVICE and enjoy the transactions you'll make without the hassle of going through another person to purchase a firearm.
Good luck and follow the rules. You'll do fine!
Tideman[ the cripple ]
"Don't shoot to stop 'em, Shoot to Destroy 'em!"0 -
It has been a long time since I applied, and a long time since my licensed premises has been in my home. But, back then, the main concern was a separate entrance to the business.
I complied by using my front door for the business. This door opens directly onto an entry hall and the formal dining room to the left was where the business was. Thus, an inspector could enter and check the business without having to go through the rest of the house.
The family used the side door.
Later, I had a separate building moved in for the business, and that works much better. Even put in a separate electric meter.
SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net0
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